Here we go: It's officially Emmy season! Yours truly was up at the crack of dawn (actually, before dawn...more like middle of the night) to be at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the unveiling of this year's nominees. As always, there were surprises, cheers, and unexpected guests: Best Sport: Neil Patrick Harris The host of the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards filled in for previously announced co-host, Kate Mara, who couldn't attend due to transportation issues (Her plane had mechanical issues in Santa Fe, New Mexico). Harris joked at the top of the announcement, "Thank you to Kate Mara for getting me out of the house this morning before my kids wake up." Biggest Applause: Kerry Washington Yay, Kerry! Washington's nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series on Scandal scored the loudest cheers of the morning for her role as fast-talking, quick-thinking, relationship-challenged Olivia Pope. Which brings me to... Most Difficult Category to Predict: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Claire Danes, who is nominated once again (and won previously) for Homeland, is joined by Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), Robin Wright (House of Cards), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Connie Britton (Nashville), and read more

Following the shocking news that Glee's Cory Monteith has passed away at the age of 31, his costars turned to Twitter to express their disbelief and sadness. In fact, one of Cory's last tweets was an almost eerie snapshot that a friend took (and he retweeted), which he then used as his new profile picture days before his death in Canada. .@eastofMAINcafe and @ProjLimelight Great meal with good friends. @maureenwebb Oh. And this guy. @CoryMonteith pic.twitter.com/txXAnqZcOr— Elena K. (@slimyagent) July 12, 2013 Monteith's costar Mark Salling (Puck) tweeted "no" (which received over 22,000 RTs), but by midnight PT, he had removed the tweet. 20th Century Fox (the studio behind Glee) and @GleeOnFox (the official Glee Twitter feed) tweeted the following shortly after midnight: We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person.— 20th Century Fox TV (@20centuryfoxTV) July 14, 2013 Cory was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.— 20th Century Fox TV (@20centuryfoxTV) July 14, 2013 Dot Marie Jones (Coach Beiste) I HAVE NO WORDS! MY HEART IS BROKEN CORY WAS NOT read more

Monica Potter is getting plenty of Emmy buzz for her heart-wrenching portrayal of cancer-stricken Kristina Braverman in season four of Parenthood, and now that her character is in remission (and the show is returning for season five in the fall!), Potter is going to forgo a wig and chop her hair to mirror the current state of her character's. Monica told me exclusively that "getting [my hair] cut would feel a lot better than wearing a scratchy wig! The producers gave me the choice to do either. There is something very liberating, exciting—and a bit scary—about getting your hair cut short. I'm looking at this as a symbol of rebirth for Kristina as well." And now, Potter has taken to Twitter (and Glamour!) to ask fans to pick her new hairstyle! So why ask fans to give their input about something that's so personal? For Monica, it seemed like a fun way to get her Twitter followers involved. "For four years, Kristina has had long flowing locks—until the head-shaving sequence—and I felt like her hair was such a big part of her. I wanted to share the process of giving her a new look!" Check out the nine looks below, read more

I LOVE lists, but putting together what 10 celebrities everyone should meet? Yeah, not so easy when you've met hundreds and, for the most part, love them all. But there are a few stand-outs and ones who deserve recognition. Mind you, this list is based only on the celebs I've met on numerous occasions and have had the opportunity to get to know. So don't hate me for not putting the Ryans Gosling or Reynolds on this list—haven't interviewed them yet! Drumroll, please! 1) George Clooney Why: No one has made me lose it quite like meeting the guy who puts star in movie star. When he hugged and kissed me, I got bronzer all over his tuxedo, but he brushed it off (literally!) like it was no big deal—even joking with me that he'd send me the dry cleaning bill. Class act all the way around. Click here for the entire encounter. 2) The Talk's Sharon Osbourne Why: Every time I go on The Talk, as soon as I sit down next to Sharon, she makes sure no bra straps are showing, my top isn't wrinkled, and my hair is looking good. She's maternal in the best way possible, read more

If you guys can hold out another six weeks, I'm predicting a fifth-season renewal of NBC's Parenthood at the up-fronts in New York City (and, yes, I do think I'll be right, unlike Phil the Groundhog). Until then, enjoy some quality time with the Bravermans as they play cast superlatives with us! I don't know about you guys, but hearing that Sam Jaeger is pretty much like Joel Graham made me wish I could clone him for myself. His wife is a very lucky lady! Which answer were you most surprised about? Video: Jeremy Dayton for On Bended Knee Films Photo: NBC read more

OK, if THIS isn't reason enough for NBC to bring back Parenthood for a fifth season, well, I don't know what is. I mean, they sang the darn theme song for us! And Sam Jaeger (Joel Graham) even did an interpretive dance. If that's not reason enough... Well, just see for yourself: First place goes to Mae Whitman and Miles Heizer, who knew every lyric without having to look at my cheat sheet. Second place goes to Xolo Mariduena, who even had the words to the song on his shirt! And third place goes to Sam Jaeger...because, did you see his dance? Perfection. Whose rendition did you like best? P.S. For more with the cast of Parenthood (including who can't bear to watch their scenes), click here. Video: Jeremy Dayton for On Bended Knee Films Special Thanks: PaleyFest, sponsored by Hulu and Samsung Photo: NBC read more

I'm going to report two crimes, and NBC, you're guilty of both. 1) That Parenthood's fourth season ended in late January (so if there is a season five, we now have to wait nine months!), and 2) that NBC hasn't even renewed the critically acclaimed drama yet (the renewal probably won't happen until the networks present their fall line-ups in New York City in May at the up-fronts). Now, with that said, I whole-heartedly believe that there will be a season five. The executives at NBC have praised the heartfelt drama, and at the TCAs in January they all but indicated that Parenthood's future looks promising. After all, in my opinion, there is no better real-life drama than Parenthood. I talked to the cast about all that and more (including the cast member who wants to go to Hollywood Boulevard to find an Emmy!) at Paleyfest, sponsored by Hulu Plus, Samsung Galaxy, and Samsung Smart TV. Meanwhile, stay tuned for more coverage with the cast of Parenthood—including having them try their hand at singing the theme song! What would you like to see happen next season (because, NBC, there will be a season five, do you hear me!)? Video and read more

I admit, I love hearing what the stars snack on--especially those celebs who seem to have it more or less together. One such actress shared her favorite healthy snack recently, and I'm really eager to get a hold of the ingredients to make myself... read more